Constructive US approach can resolve nuclear issue: Iran

Tehran, July 18 (IANS) In its first public reaction to the US presence during Saturday’s nuclear talks in Geneva, Iran Friday said a constructive approach by Washington would help in resolving the issue, IRNA reported. “From our standpoint, what is important is with what approach will he (US representative Undersecretary of State William Burns) attend the talks,” Tehran’s chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili told reporters before leaving for Geneva to attend the meeting.

Jalili will be meeting European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana Saturday to discuss a package of incentives offered by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (P5+1) to Iran to dissuade the Islamic country from enriching uranium.

“If Burns attends the meeting with a constructive approach and avoids making the past mistakes, the talks will definitely be constructive,” Jalili said.

Though the US has said military action against Iran remains one of its options, the Bush administration, for the first time, deputed Burns to the Geneva meeting as an observer.

While there is no indication from the Iranian side that it would forego its enrichment activities as demanded by the P5+1 package, analysts say it may agree to the additional protocol of the International Atomic Energy Agency that provides for inspection without prior notice.